Crufts

CRUFTS 2019 – IRISH SETTER (BITCHES)

MY THANKS TO COMMITTEE OF CRUFTS DOG SHOW TO BE INVITED TO OFFICIATE AT THIS APPOINTMENT. IT IS WITHOUT DOUBT THE ZENITH FOR ANYONE IN THEIR JUDGING CAREER. TO BE GIVEN THE TASK OF JUDGING THE BITCHES WAS, FOR ME, THE ICING ON THE CAKE!

MY THANKS MUST ALSO GO TO MY TWO EXCELLENT STEWARDS, KAREN BUGG AND BILL BOTTAN, WHO WERE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE IN KEEPING MY RING RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

TO THOSE EXHIBITORS WHO GAVE ME THE HONOUR OF ASSESSING THEIR PRECIOUS IRISH SETTERS, PLEASE BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THAT I FELT VERY HONOURED AND I KNOW YOU ALL TOOK THE BEST GIRL(S) HOME.

MY OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE BITCHES SHOWN UNDER ME WAS QUITE TROUBLING IN SOME ASPECTS, THOSE BEING PLAIN FOREFACES AND LACK OF STOP WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO OBLIQUELY PLACED EYES AND NO RAISED BROWS, INCORRECT FINISHES TO FOREFACE – THE STANDARD STATES “FAIRLY” SQUARE – NOT “SQUARE”. UPRIGHT FRONT ASSEMBLIES ARE STILL A PROBLEM AND FLAT TOPLINES ARE BECOMING THE NORM, BUT PERHAPS THE MOST SHOCKING ASPECT I FOUND IN MANY GIRLS WAS POOR SHAPED FEET. HARE FEET AND OPEN FLAT FEET ARE NO USE TO THIS GUNDOG. BREEDERS IF YOU DON’T ADDRESS THESE ISSUES THEN THEY WILL BE LOST TO THE BREED FOREVER AND THAT WILL BE YOUR LEGACY.

ALL THAT SAID I WAS EXCEPTIONALLY PLEASED WITH ALL MY WINNERS, WHO FOR ME, EXUDED CORRECT BREED TYPE, AND WHILE NO DOG IS PERFECT BALANCING BREED TYPE AGAINST CONSTRUCTION IS THE COMPROMISE ALL JUDGES HAVE TO MAKE. A BEAUTIFULLY CONSTRUCTED DOG WITHOUT BREED TYPE CAN NEVER BE, FOR ME, AN IRISH SETTER.

Class 201 VETERAN B Entries: 11 Absentees 3 :

1st 987 MR R C & MRS J P MUGFORD - CH LYNWOOD HAPPY AS A LARK JW Beautiful Bitch from all angles. She is blessed with a well-balanced, correct head and expression. Has good breed type and performed so well, In hard muscular condition, with decent front angulation, deep well sprung ribs, strong loin and good finish to her croup, correct topline held on the move, well turned stifles and short hocks. Moving she showed reach and drive with her ever lashing tail completing the picture. BEST VETERAN IN BREED. 2nd 896 MISS T GARDNER - SH CH THENDARA JOCASTA JW Another lovely moderate bitch who has all the essentials for the breed. Pretty girl with good proportions and finish to head, well crested neck set cleanly into shoulders, correct topline, wide, nicely angled hindquarters Stood over good ground and on the move went freely and soundly.

3rd 926 MS M &MR W HUNTER & BROWN - SH CH/INT CH FAIRHAVEN LOUISE MOUNTBATTEN AT BRAIDMOUNT (IMP SWE) Another quality bitch, she is well made with good plains to her head and correct skull shape. Good angulation front and rear, deep ribs carried back, just preferred the overall length and toplines of those above. Moved soundly.

Class 202 MIN PUPPY B Entries: 2 Absentees 0 :

1st 919 MRS J E HOLLEY - GWENDARIFF LOOK THIS WAY TO WYNJILL Quite mature, very nicely made puppy who has, even at this young age, a very pretty head and expression. Well crested neck smoothly into excellent front angulation, lovely depth to ribs, correct topline and wide, well angulated hindquarters. Good length and shape to croup and carried her tail well. Good feet and short rear hocks. Moved out enjoying herself, soundly and with some style. Expertly handled. I think she has a bright future.

2nd 833 MRS M BOTT - BARDONHILL LOVE OF MY LIFE Another baby of good quality and has all the essentials. Her head has good proportions just needs to break which it will, good bone, deep ribs and well finished hindquarters. Not the maturity of 1 at this stage but really promising youngster.

Class 203 PUPPY B Entries: 6 Absentees 1 :

1st 919 MRS J E HOLLEY - GWENDARIFF LOOK THIS WAY TO WYNJILL REPEAT OF MINOR PUPPY

2nd 1028 MRS P J RUTHERFORD - MAJESTYKA INDIAN SUMMER AT CLONAGEERA Lovely bitch, moderate throughout with great quality. Her head is beautiful, correct proportions and finish to muzzle, dark well shaped eye produced by correct amount of stop, I hope her owner doesn’t mind but her head took me back to the beautiful girls she bred herself. Crested neck, decent front angulation with enough pro-sternum, deep ribs carried well back to loin, good finish to croup and tail set, at this stage just a little lacking in hind angulation but she has time on her side. Moved freely on excellent feet. I shall watch her progress with interest.

3rd 936 MR A, MR D & MRS L STEWART & JONES - GWENDARIFF GOOSEBERRY FOOL Taller, rangier bitch. Good head properties , clean neck into good front angulation ,showing well developed pro=sternum. Ribs need to drop but are carried well back, strong loin, decent width to hindquarters, at this stage she needs to drop into her stifles but this may come as she matures. Moved soundly.

Class 204 JUNIOR B Entries: 16 Absentees 3 :

1st 835 MISS L BOUGEN - GWENDARIFF HOT TICKET This young lady presented a very balanced outline and topline. Well-proportioned head with good amount of stop giving correct eye position and shape, showing raised brows. Well angulated front assembly, standing on good bone of correct shape, deep well sprung ribs carried nicely back to strong loin. Wide hindquarters with moderate amount of bend of stifle, good length to croup, carried well. Excellent movement which in the end won her the class.

2nd 995 MR R S & MRS M I NICOLSON - GWENDARIFF JUST THE TICKET FOR LOCHINDORB Lots to like about this young lady. She has a pleasing head with good expression and plains. Correct front assembly showing well laid back shoulders and return of upper arm coupled with deep well shaped ribs giving good prosternum. Ribs are carried well back to loin. Wide strong hindquarters and moved soundly, she is just a little long through her couplings for my personal taste and her feet are not her fortune but quality bitch nevertheless.

3rd 1015 MRS AR ROBERTS - JETSETTER CRISTALLE TO POLMENNOR JW(IMP RUS) Another pretty lady who has much to commend her. Decent front assembly but not the depth of rib of 1 & 2. Good topline and ribs are carried well back to strong loin, wide nicely angulated hindquarters with moderate bend to stifle. Lovely feet and moved soundly just a little wide in front today.

Class 205 YEARLING B Entries: 16 Absentees 3 :

1st 986 MR R C & MRS J P MUGFORD - LYNWOOD ABRACADABRA JW This very clever, understated, breeder, in my opinion, produces some of the best quality bitches in the breed, and this young lady is no exception. Such lovely overall balance and moderately reflective angulation fore and aft. Typically well-proportioned head and wistful expression, correct finish to foreface and good eye shape correct back skull. Crested neck flowed cleanly into her shoulders. Lovely topline. On the move she was sound and stylish I’m sure, when fully mature, she’ll trouble the best.

2nd 881 MRS S E EDWARDS - GWENDARIFF ITS NUMERO UNO AT BONHOMIE JW Unlucky to meet 1 in such form this racy, elegant lady is also very lovely. She has a pleasing head and expression, feminine without any trace of coarseness, correct back skull and crested neck fitting cleanly into her front assembly, well developed fore chest and deep well sprung ribs, good topline and well set on tail. Her hindquarters need a bit more time to develop fully, decent feet and moved soundly .

3rd 826 MR G & MRS J J BAYNE - CORRANROO ONE MORE KISS Another stylish bitch. For me I would like a little more leg height to body length for balanced body outline. Good properties to head, with dark, well-shaped eye and raised brows, crested neck, decent angulation to forehand, deep well sprung ribs carried well back to strong loin and wide well angulated hindquarters, very good feet and moved soundly and with style.

Class 206 UNDERGRAD B Entries: 12 Absentees 2 :

1st 1001 MRS C PETTIFER - HEATHCLARE LIBERTY AT CROSSWEST Balanced outline on this young lady, Good finish to muzzle and good eye shape showing raised brows, I would prefer a leaner skull, low set ears and crested neck. Good layback to shoulders and deep well sprung ribs, strong through loin, hind quarters proportionate to front in angulation, good feet and moved, when trying, well.

2nd 972 MESDAMES I & J MCNEIL & BOYD-MCNEIL - GLENNLOKHEN DEVERON Really pleasing girl who unfortunately left her coat at home. She is well balanced with plenty of work in her foreface, good eye shape with raised brows and lovely finish to skull, clean through her neck and shoulders, well sprung ribs and strong loin, with maturity her hindquarters should develop further, excellent feet. Moved soundly holding her topline.

3rd 912 MRS I M HILLOCKS - JONOLA FIREBIRD 4th in Yearling, this young lady has a racy outline, with pretty head and lovely expression, good proportions and correct finish to foreface, raised brows and good back skull. She’s not the most co-operative but when she chose to she is possessed of a decent front assembly, deep ribs and strong loin. She has wide hindquarters just a little weak through her 2nd thigh and I would prefer a better angle to croup. Moved soundly.

Class 207 GRADUATE B Entries: 9 Absentees 3

This was a hard decision between 1st and 2nd in this class and I found much to like in both girls :

1st 836 MR R, MISS H & MR J BOUTTELL & BURBRIDGE - IXIA RAINBOW BRITE Lovely head and expression, super, proportionate head piece with lovely finish to foreface, enough stop to have correctly placed and shaped dark eye and wonderfully expressive eyebrows, so soft and a second later so full of mischief, she made me almost laugh out loud!, low set ears, lovely back skull of correct shape, strong neck, good layback to shoulders, would just like a little more return to upper arm, deep well sprung ribs and adequate prosternum. Correct topline, wide hindquarters to well bent stifles and strong rear pasterns, a little shorter coupled than 2 but all in proportion. She moved with style and “Irishness”.

2nd 968 MRS D E MCDONALD - DELSANTO MISS FREYA Well made, quality bitch with good head proportions just a little plainer in foreface than 1, nicely raised brows eye shape and colour and good back skull, strong crested neck into well made front assembly, with deep well sprung ribs giving nice prosternum. Strong through her loin and wide well angulated hindquarter and croup, strong through her 2nd thigh, nicely set on tail and decent feet. Moved well.

3rd 937 MRS L S JONES - GWENDARIFF CHILLI POWDER Balanced bitch of some quality. She has more scope than her handler gives her credit for. Pretty head and expression, strong neck into good front assembly and enough depth of chest. Well ribbed up and I would prefer a slightly long loin for balance wide hindquarters. Moderate turn of stifle, good feet. Moved soundly.

Class 208 POST GRAD B Entries: 18 Absentees 2 :

1st 914 MR B F & MRS E HINSLEA - GWENDARIFF GUESS WHO'S COMIN TO NORTHAMBER JW Stylish bitch who is racy and balanced. Pleasing head and lovely expressive eyes and brows. Strong crested neck fitting cleanly into excellent front angulation with good return of upper arm and super forechest. Deep well sprung ribs and strong loin. Wide hindquarters with pelvis at a good angle giving nice finish to croup. Correct topline, good feet. Moved with drive and panache really motored around the ring.

2nd 1056 MISS S WATERTON - SANDSTREAM SUMMER BREEZE JW Racy, elegant bitch with sweet head and expression, she is much matured since I last judged her and she is the better for that. Clean well arched neck smoothly into good layback of shoulder, would just like a tad more return in her upper arm but deep well sprung ribs and carried well back to a strong loin. Wide hindquarters well developed stifles and good tailset Moved soundly.

3rd 885 MS JE & MR BA EVANS & CROCKER - RIVERBRUE KEEPSAKE Quite lovely young lady who has a really pleasing head and expression with plenty of work through her foreface. Well balanced throughout and angulations fore and aft are moderate and reflective. Well held topline standing and on the move, would like a little more strength through her neck for finish but she moved well with drive.

Class 209 MID LIMIT B Entries: 10 Absentees 2 :

1st 997 MR R S & MRS M I NICOLSON - GWENDARIFF RAINBOW GODDESS AT LOCHINDORB Now mature this racy bitch is coming into her own. Good head and expressive eyes and brows possibly the best nose of the day!, enough work in her foreface and good finish to her skull, well crested neck and good layback of shoulder, well sprung ribs and correct length to loin, wide hindquarters , well bent stifles, short hocks. Moved very well at a good pace.

2nd 1036 MR G & MRS C STEVENSON - LOCHLORIEN TRUE DETECTIVE IS ANDLEY Substantial bitch of good quality, her head has good proportions I would like a little more work through her foreface but it is correctly shaped. She is nicely moderated throughout her angulations fore and aft, deep chested and strong through her loin and hindquarters, carried her topline well and moved freely.

3rd 955 MRS J R & MR J LIPPETT - CLONAGEERA BORN TO RUN Strong bitch with well finished foreface, a little too much cheek for my preference, strong neck and well angulated front construction, deep very well sprung ribs strong loin, wide hindquarters and moderately bent stifles, short rear pasterns and good feet. Moved very well.

Class 210 LIMIT B Entries: 9 Absentees 2 :

1st 941 MRS R JONES - GWENDARIFF NUTMEG SHCM This bitch of lovely quality, is balanced and proportionately moderate with correct topline. She possesses the most beautiful head and expression. Correct proportions with lots of work in foreface and correct finish to muzzle, lean and well balanced, dark, well shaped eye with raised brows and good back skull, clean crested neck flowing smoothly into well laid back shoulders and good return of upper arm, deep ribs nicely sprung all contributing to good prosternum, good loin and good length and shape to croup, wide hindquarters with nicely angulated stifles, strong 2nd thigh and short rear pasterns, stands on good feet. Moved positively showing reach and drive. Considered her seriously for top honours and when she gets her coat out of the wardrobe she will trouble the best.

2nd 870 MISS O P DANKS-KEMISH - RAPPATTY STAR LIGHT OVER ALOLFRANA JW SHCM Fully coated bitch of lovely quality. I judged her as a puppy and she has justified my faith in her. There is much to like about her and she is well proportioned with good angulations front and rear. Lean head, with well shaped eye and raised brows, clean through her cheeks and good back skull, would just like a bit more work in her foreface. Clean crested neck into good front assembly, deep through her ribs and strong in loin. Well developed hindquarters, short rear pasterns allowing drive , good feet and moved well showing reach and drive just preferred the head and topline of 1 but she’s very lovely.

  3rd 1054 MISS S WATERTON - SANDSTREAM WELCOME BREEZE JW SHCM Another bitch I have judged previously and she has lovely breed type. Sweetest head and lovely mischievous expression. Well-made front with enough prosternum, well ribbed back and correct loin, correct topline and well developed hindquarters, short strong rear pasterns and decent feet. Not carrying enough body condition today but a quality girl who could not be overlooked. Moved freely and soundly.

Class 211 OPEN B Entries: 12 Absentees 0 :

1st 819 MRS D M ARMITAGE - SH CH/IR SH CH GWENDARIFF COCO NUT CREAM CW'18 This well-known bitch really shone today. I have watched her from the ringside and it was a pleasure to be given the opportunity to put hands on her. There is nothing exaggerated about her and her balance on height to length is spot on. Racy, combining substance without any trace of coarseness and beautiful topline. Really pleasing head with correct finish to muzzle, dark well shaped eye and brows, clean cheeks and well finished back skull. Her correct length and crest to neck flows into a really well made front assembly with layback to shoulder and return of upper arm spot on. Deep well sprung ribs taken together with angulation giving good fore-chest, her well-muscled loin gives a great finish to her topline and her wide well angulated croup, gives correct balance to her stifles and strong 2nd thigh, strong rear pasterns finish the picture. It is in her movement that all this comes together and the whole exceeds the individual components. She moves with panache and, something lacking in many today, proper articulation through her joints making for light, long, ground covering strides. I’m sure her owner is very proud of her and to my mind she is one of the very best ever produced by this famous kennel. While no dog is perfect to my eye she’s not far off it. She was immaculately presented and without fear or favour I could not deny her the Challenge Certificate. On the referees decision Best Opposite Sex.

2nd 832 MRS M BOTT - GWENDARIFF SUCH A CARRY ON AT BARDONHILL JW This bitch has really blossomed and is now the finished article and as far as I’m concerned has now fulfilled her young potential. Elegant without losing substance, holding a good topline. She has a well-made head with good balance low set ears and well-shaped dark eyes with good brows, nicely shaped back skull showing correct finish and strong, crested neck. Excellent front angulations and deep well sprung ribs carried well back to a strong loin, wide, strong hindquarters with good bend of stifle, not overdone. Strong rear pasterns. Moving she showed reach from her front and good drive off well-articulated hock joints. Delighted to award her R.C.C.

3rd 827 MRS S, MR S D & MR J BEGG, MILLIGAN-BOTT & BOTT - SH CH THENDARA CHASING BOYS TO SUMARIC Another who has come into her own in maturity. Very well made bitch, with typical head and expression, correct finish to foreface and good proportions. Well laid back shoulders, deep chest carried well back and strong loin to wide well developed hindquarters, well bent stifles and short strong rear pasterns’ good tail set and moved soundly. A worthy Sh.Ch. :

Class 213 WORK GUN B Entries: 3 Absentees 1 :

1st 987 MR R C & MRS J P MUGFORD - CH LYNWOOD HAPPY AS A LARK JW

REPEAT OF 1ST IN VETERAN AND BEST VETERAN IN BREED.

2nd 1068 MRS ZIELINSKA - PL CH VARMELLO ALL HEAVENS MAGIC [ATC AV03333POL] Pleasant bitch on built on strong lines. Head a little plain for my taste but of decent shape. Strong neck and well ribbed body into strong loin. Wide nicely angulated hindquarters. Decent feet. Moved well.

Class 214 GOOD CIT B Entries: 4 Absentees 0 :

1st 1000 MRS D & MISS J PARSONS - BRAIDMOUNT LADY OF THE LAKE AT BRANSETT Previously 5th in Post Graduate and has much to commend her. She is of good breed type with a pleasing head and sweet expression. Good proportions and clean back skull. She is moderately angulated front and rear and has good balance in height to length. Nicely boned and decent feet. Moved soundly.

2nd 1002 MRS & MS PHILLIPS & CONDRON - COVARNEY SUMMER BREEZE Previously unplaced in Yearling. Moderate bitch throughout and has pleasing head topping nicely set on neck into shoulders. Deep well sprung ribs, strong bone. Good width to hindquarters and strong rear pasterns. Movement could be more accurate and not the free action of 1st.

3rd 904 MRS M HADFIELD - MARZANNE CHINA IN YOUR HAND Previously unplaced in Post Graduate. She is a little strong in head for me, decent amount of stop and dark eye. Strong neck and decent body length. Not the topline of 1 & 2. Wide quarters, short rear pasterns, feet okay. Movement on the day let her down.

Magi Henderson